I admit it: I’m addicted to books

Actually buying them.

Sometimes I wonder where all my money goes. Well, I admit it. I frequent Amazon, used book stores and eBay often; really often!

IMG_3684 IMG_3685 IMG_3686 IMG_3687The fruit of these purchases has been monumental, however, She can always be found in her bedroom with a pile of books around her. I would even say her strong vocabulary comes from this. From these books, she’s learned lessons, silly stories,  ideas, manners, facts, and so much more. They give her more of an imagination as well.

Some of my favorite authors have arisen from this habit: Leo Leonni, Mo Willems, Keith Baker, Sergio Ruzzier and Eve Bunting, Doreen Cronin and so many more. I can always count on books about dogs, Paw Patrol, Spiderman, Dora, Clifford, Froggy and Marley.

I have no problem admitting my addiction, and I have no problem that she loves it. Actually, there is a new term coined by psychologists called “bibliotherapy.” This is the use of the content of some books to help cancer patients, and also for students to learn valuable skills.

She is growing to love reading as much as I do!

Friday frivolity and free for all!

We had no real structured plans today. I know….hard to believe. The only thing on the agenda was to  go to the gym so I could get in a quick swim. Then, free to be just her and me!

Well, tend to be a Pinterest fanatic, and one of the posts was about a great game to try with Pre-K. After downloading, printing (in color (after troubleshooting the printer for an hour *sheesh*), laminating, cutting, and finding game pieces, we were ready to go! No real set up involved as the picture looked. I love Pinterest for the fact that they make it all look so easy and pretty. (NOT!) (this is the picture)Zoo-Animal-Race-to-the-Top-Counting-Game-for-Preschoolers

So, we sat down and she rolled the dice (which did not turn out in the perfect little cube like picture)

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She put the purple cube on the hippo line on the game board. (it’s covered because the sheet was not flat (thank you, laminator!). Tot had not clue, and that made it fun for me.

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We had so much fun with this little animal game and all that work I put into making it was worth  the laughter and frivolity!

 

Worth the wait (the LONG wait) at the dentist

Oh yes, it was worth every single minute of our 1:30 appointment. Tatum’s fall on Sunday which resulted inIMG_3635

meant that I had to follow up at the dentist on Tuesday. Well, the lovely Dr. Libby who gave me the very sound advice about clicking her tooth into place was now no longer seeing patients with my insurance. This shocking news came Tuesday morning when I called for our appointment. So much for following up with her. I scrambled to find a dentist who would accept us. We finally found one way far on the west side.

Arriving at 1:30, we plopped ourselves down in the chair and looked around. It was packed to the gills with hispanics kiddos and all of the siblings. The “playroom” was nothing like the spaceship at our old dentist. It was just a wall of video games in this dark tunnel. Not appealing. So, I pulled out my handy dandy Kinder Brain Quest, and off we went to “which word starts with the letter “C”? games.

Finally after 30, we were called and entered the room. First, X-rays. Tatum was so brave with the coat that weighs more than her 27.6-lb little body.
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Smile pretty and hold still! No wiggle worming at all! Great job, Tot.
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Then we were led into room 4 with the “Dr. will be right in to see you.” Being right in must be a relative term. In my book, that means within like 5 minutes.

The nurse wanted Tatum to stare at the movie on the ceiling, but sheesh! That could only last so long.

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So, Tot and I got creative as usual. 

We played glasses

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We played dance around the room!IMG_3641

We played take pics of mommyIMG_3646Missed..but pretty close!
Videos, pacing around the chair and counting…. You name it!

OK, finally the dentist came in acting as if we had only been there for like a minute, and proceeded to show us her X-rays. IMG_3674The roots are in tact, and her loose tooth will actually seal back into place within a week or two! Just keep up the smoothies and ice cream. (Big smile). He also assured her the fingers in the mouth were ok (for a teeeeeeeeeny bit longer). He told me if she hadn’t grown out of it by age 7, then I should worry. (Seriously? 7?…more like 4!)

By 3:10, we were out of there. Part of the benefit of being on the west side, meant that we got to go to Bookman’s used books (which has zillions of used books and 10%off for kiddos!) and frozen yogurt (YUMMMMY!).

Finally we got home, and she wanted to immediately read this:

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Yes, Spiderman. Not, Princess Blah Blah Blah…but good ol’ Spidey. She loves Paw Patrol and Spiderman now. My girl is ALL girl with some added coolness of superheroes and rescuing doggies!

Love you Tot! XOXO

No need for a roller coaster on Independence Day

Because, today was just UP and DOWN.

It started with Tatum coming into my room on this little contraption that, thanks to Doug, talks now. (yes, thank you, Doug for fixing it!! *&%*&)20160630_170454(1)_resizedIt decided to say “3-2-1 blast off” to me bright and early this lovely Sunday morning. So, I was up. We wore our red white and blue to church since tomorrow is July 4th, Independence Day.

Speaking of Independence, Tatum told me this morning, she did not want to be held during worship since she was bigger. She sang three songs with her arms held high, worshipping to high heaven. Man, it was a sight to see and behold! I couldn’t help but tear up with her inspiring singing.

Once church was over, we headed home to get ready for Doug to pick us up to take us to the Diamondback game. I had bought cheap seats with my teacher’s discount, and although way up high, it was a fun idea! Doug had the honor of carrying her down five flights of stairs.

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We finally got to our aerial view seats and she was instantly hungry!

After a some pictures, and a few oohs and ahhs at the game, she dove in for some corn snacks.

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It was then time for a hot dog since the corn did not last in her tummy long. 20160703_133715_resized
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Oh the joy of a real hot dog. I had been feeding her vegan soy dogs all this time. My cat is out of the bag now. Will she ever go back?

She did continually need some food out of either true hunger or being a wiggle worm. Not sure which or maybe both.

I’m not sure if I remember much of the game, but we did stay long enough to watch Goldschmidt (the guy on her shirt) bat a homer! Worth watching!
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We had so much fun with Doug, that when she got home she had energy to burn. This is when the roller coaster ride came a bit crashing down.

She was playing with Coti in the living room, when I heard a huge REAL cry. Blood was all over her hands and her baby.

IMG_3635She fell and hurt her lip on her tooth. Her tooth went back behind her other teeth! I rushed to the emergency room where nothing was done for her except them telling me this. The whole time, I tried to reach her dentist, and FINALLY I got a hold of Dr. Libby. She said to pull Tatum’s tooth back into place. I’d hear a click-click, and I sure did! I clicked it back into place, but it was still a little loose.

So, Tot is on the soft food diet for a while and NO FINGERS IN HER MOUTH. She is struggling with that one, but maybe it will break the habit. We are heading to the dentist on Tuesday since tomorrow (Monday) is the 4th.

This meant a smoothie for dinner and some Paw Patrol shows, and OH…LOTS of TLC which for me is the best part.

Finally the evening ended with her waking up crying to the 9pm-9:15pm fireworks show next door at the railroad park. She was way too scared (but not as bad as Coti!). I got to hold her for this stint, and that was more fun for me.

The ups and downs of today maybe were circumstantially scary and fun, but all in all, it was about togetherness, love, and growth for all of us.

What a tremendous day.